Intel is a tractor pimp

Comments

1. 
   18 Jul 2009 ~ 4:58am DrLiam Farming, down to a science.
2. 
   18 Jul 2009 ~ 3:53pm UPSLynx I love that this is tagged 'never forget'.
   
   
   Computers in tractors aren't new, in fact you'd be hard pressed to find a new tractor that isn't GPS ready as well as housing a built-in PC. Most planting tractors don't even require the input of a driver, by using the computer and GPS system the vehicle will navigate itself.
   
   It was named one of the 5 most significant ag-technologies to happen in the last decade.
   
   I'm ashamed that I know all this. I blame work and AgDay, I cannot help it.
3. 
   18 Jul 2009 ~ 4:11pm airbornflght Tractors have had computer in them for longer than this decade. My granddad's case international was made around 92-93 iirc and it has a ground speed radar for monitoring wheel slip, and a coverage calculator where you can tell the computer the working with of the implement and it will calculate how much you've worked, your rate per hour and how much longer to go. Which also goes back to calculate several efficiencies.
   
   And the GPS enabled steering systems are a supplement but no replacement. You still have to remain vigilant about looking for obstacles such as fallen tree limbs or wash outs. Until a farmer can pop in a usb stick with a program and the tractor starts itself up, goes off to field and then comes back when its done and parks itself.
   
   But to implement that the tractors would require some pretty intense ground sweeping radar and have the logic for obstacle identification and avoidance as well as reporting back home so the farmer knows to go remove the obstruction. It would also have to be able to monitor the equipment and itself for failures. Hydraulic and power systems would be easy enough but mechanical items such as a sheer pin breaking or a weld joint failing are more problematic. Also many times there will be muddy parts of a field that need to be avoided which would require some pretty advanced optics to do.
   
   While farmers now can get in and act as the supervisor of a tractor to some degree that are still very much the operator. It will be a very good day when tractors become autonomous.